Plumbing Services That Save Water and Money

Plumbers, like HVAC technicians and electricians, are service professionals you might not think about too often. Yet, the second you need their help, they’re irreplaceably valuable.

If you’re used to calling upon your local plumber only in an emergency, you could be missing out on a valuable opportunity to save water — and some major cash.

Don’t flush your money down the drain. There are many preventative plumbing services that you can use right now, even when your toilet is functioning properly and your sink drain is working fine.

Today, we’re discussing a few easy fixes and upgrades that can help you reduce your water bill and grow your savings.

Ready to learn more? Let’s go!

Upgrade Your Toilets

In the mid-1990s, regulations around water conservation mandated that new toilets be low-flow or high-efficiency ones. In a nutshell, this meant that they had to use only 1.6 gallons of water per flush as opposed to the previous standard of up to seven gallons.

Many homeowners found the resulting products less than satisfactory. The new models took longer to work, clogged more easily and weren’t nearly as “efficient” as their name implied. As a result, sales dropped and older-model toilets became hot commodities in the wake of this major market overhaul.

It wasn’t long before manufacturers started taking note.

Today’s low-flow toilets are sleek, innovative, quiet, and yes, incredibly efficient. If Boyz II Men and Beanie Babies were all the rage when you bought your last toilet, it’s time to make the switch.

When you do, you’ll cut your water usage by more than half, and you’ll even increase your home’s resale value.

Consider asking your plumbing services provider to change out all the toilets in your home in a single visit, saving you labor and travel charges for multiple trips.

Install Water-Saving Fixtures

Sure, it’s luxurious to bathe under a showerhead that pours down water in multiple settings, allowing us to switch from “Rainforest” to “Waterfall” mode with the flick of our wrist.

Yet, when the water bill comes in a few weeks, will that luxury be worth it?

While your plumber is there, have him or her switch out your faucets and showerheads with water-saving fixtures that reduce the amount of water (and money) you’re pouring out.

A normal showerhead releases around 2.5 gallons of water per minute. That’s 250 gallons required for a 10-minute shower. Alternatively, a new fixture can reduce that amount to around 2 gallons per minute, or 200 gallons per shower.

While that might not sound like too much of a difference, consider how many people in your home shower daily. If there are four people and each takes one shower per day, that’s a savings of 200 gallons of water daily!

Even better news? Water-saving showerheads offer much of the same flexibility and performance as you’re used to.

If you’re imagining shivering under a tiny, slow-moving trickle, think again. You’ll be able to enjoy the same pressure, speed, and settings available on your favorite models, while also enjoying a little extra in your wallet.

You can take similar measures to reduce the water that flows out of your sink and tub faucets by installing aerators. In fact, by using EPA-endorsed aerators and faucets, the average family can conserve up to 700 gallons of water per year, which is the equivalent of 40 showers!

Re-Design Your Tub and Sinks

When you first moved into your home, a giant soaker tub probably sounded like a great idea. Sinking to your nose in a bubble bath at the end of a hard day is an ideal way to relax!

Yet, think about the last time you took a soak. Did you need all of that room or could you have found the same level of tranquility in a smaller bathtub?

Plumbing services shouldn’t be reserved for just maintenance and repair. Plumbers are also equipped to help you redesign your kitchen and bathroom space. They can help you locate areas of water waste that you can remedy with a different setup.

If your current bathroom layout consists of a large tub and standalone shower unit, consider reducing the size of your bathtub and using any extra space to add a decorative element such as a shelf or storage nook.

In the same vein, take a look at your sink setup. Are the existing bowls just the right size, or can you take those down a few inches as well? By cutting back on how long it takes to fill them up, you can save major water and cash.

Use Plumbing Services Preventatively

That tiny leak under the kitchen sink might have been problematic at first, but it’s nothing a bucket can’t catch, right? Wrong!

By letting tiny issues, such as leaks, exist for too long, you’re actually giving them permission to turn into major problems.

Rather than try to tackle the issue yourself or YouTube DIY hacks for home repair and replacement, call in plumbing services immediately. If you fail to contact a professional as soon as you notice a dilemma, you run the risk of it causing significant damage as it grows in scope and severity.

While the plumbers are there, have them perform a preventative inspection of your other pipes to check for cracks and hairline leaks that you can address now to save yourself a headache in the future.

Think Ahead to Save Big

When it comes to plumbing services, even the smallest changes can make a huge impact. You don’t have to overhaul your existing installations to notice a major difference in your family’s water use.

Try implementing a few of these tips at a time, and watch the savings pour in. Your plumber may also be able to offer more water conservation tips and tricks!

Want more helpful advice? From home repair to career advice, we’re your go-to guide.

Follow along on our blog as we explore ways you can save money, live smarter, and grow professionally, one step (or drop of water) at a time.